Two Essays Upon Matthew Arnold with Some of His Letters to the Author; With Some of His Letters to the Author

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897. Excerpt: ... THE POETICAL WORKS OF MATTHEW ARNOLD A Note upon Literature, considered as a Fine Art, and upon that practice and those theories of writing, which were in favour at one time among our Men of Letters. OT many days have passed, since a member was chosen by the French Academy. The accomplishments of this fortunate author were described by a newspaper, in one of its most ridiculous expressions, as being not far to seek after the search, it was discovered that not one of Pierre Loti's books resembled anything previously written by any one else; and this judgment was intended, neither as a rebuke to the Academy, nor as a satire upon the new Academician. Now there is a sense in which it is true, that every human being, who comes into the world, is different to the remainder of the species; and in this sense it is also true, that the writings of every human being are distinct and singular; but it was not in this broad way, that the newspaper spoke of Loti and of his productions; it was more enthusiastic for its hero, it was less cautious for itself; and it wished us to understand, that his works afforded new and unprecedented models in the art of writing. This was the amazing discovery, that was not far to seek: a fine discovery indeed, if it were true; and if it were possible, there could be no higher praise bestowed upon an author. But human nature being what it is, and the laws of thought and language being what they are, is it possible, we may ask, that the writings of any man should resemble nothing previously written by any one else; and, if it were possible, could those writings be pleasing or instructive? Were the same opinion expressed of any one's behaviour, we should imagine him to be either a primitive wild man, or an harmless disordered per...